Page 9 - Bugle Issue 16 Autumn 2020

Service at
1RIFLES
San Carlos Cemetery
Falkland Islands A Coy 1 RIFLES
In February 2020, shortly after returning from Op TORAL, A Company Group deployed as the Falkland Islands Roulement Infantry Company (FIRIC). 8000 miles from the UK, the Falklands are one of the UK’s remotest overseas territories. The British military presence here is ostensibly to deter Argentina, but it also provides fantastic training opportunities. The company consisted of three platoons from A and C Coys, with elements of Machine Guns and Mortars and HQ enablers.
Our routine consisted of a rotation of QRF, conducting reassurance and deterrence patrols, and training. We had almost exclusive use of 210km2 of ranges meaning the live
fire opportunities exceptional. A truly joint
operating environment also meant working alongside (and on) HMS Forth, and conducting training with A400, Typhoon aircraft and the civilian search and rescue helicopters.
We also conducted a patrol with HMS Forth to South Georgia. The patrol visited Lt Col Henry Worsley’s memorial. Lt Col Worsley was a Rifleman (CO 2 RGJ 2000-02) and Antarctic explorer who died in 2016 attempting to cross the continent on foot.
COVID-19 meant our initial 3-month deployment was extended to 6 months, the team quickly leaned into supporting BFSAI and the Falkland Island Government in managing the response. It also meant a reversal of our normal roles whilst deployed, as we were worrying about our families at home perhaps
more than them worrying about us. The restrictions meant patrolling and ranges were curtailed but we were able to continue training package including constructing an urban ops facility, conducting night raids onto old air defence sites and weeks on the 25m range.
We handed over on Salamanca Day, our second in a row whilst deployed, and marking 13 out of 16 months away for many. From a Kabul summer to a South Atlantic winter, this has been a remarkable effort by a remarkable team of Riflemen, and it has certainly been an experience none of us will forget.
Maj James McCarthyOC A Company.
3 Platoon conduct live firing
From a Kabul summer to a South Atlantic winter
on Onion Range
RIFLES The Bugle 9